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BS: Traveller Discrimination Update...
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: Terry K Date: 12 Nov 02 - 12:44 PM .......shame for little Martha's sake that much of the energy expended here seems concerned with finding technical excuses why the "lesser charges" should be ignored and the woman be allowed to conduct herself apparently as she sees fit. The key to me is the concern on the authorities part for pursuing the welfare interests of Martha if her mother has no address - as in the Chris Toth quote in Sharon A's post - how can they possibly fulfil their obligation to the child if they don't know where she is? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: NicoleC Date: 12 Nov 02 - 01:09 PM LOL, Guest. You had me going there for minute! Larry seems to feel that Ms. Toogood and other Travellers are being discriminated against because the law is actually being enforced. I agree that this could be true in theory, but I don't see it applying in this case. If Travellers are prosecuted for this more often, it could have a lot to do with the fact that most other people DO have a permanent address and legal name. Whether the use of multiple names is an old tradition or not, in the area now known as the US, a consistent family name has been required by law since the Brits took over New Amsterdam. There are too many ways to satisfy the legal requirements in question without infringing on one's cultural identity for me to accept the idea that it is impossible for the Traveller's or Romas to obey the law. The use of a permanent PO Box is one way -- but I find it difficult to reconcile Mrs. Toogood being unaware the place had closed if she had been paying her bill to keep one. So we are left with the possible conclusions that a) she's stupid, b) she's ignorant of the basic laws of the country she lives in, or c) she deliberately broke the law. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: SharonA Date: 12 Nov 02 - 01:47 PM Seems that the address given by CNN (in the article I posted) for the dry cleaner's was incorrect; the strip mall is across the street from the health-care center. The address of Ziker Cleaners is actually 1808 East Bristol Street, Elkhart, IN, according to directory assistance. Here's an excerpt from a WNDU-TV news story from late September (http://www.wndu.com/news/092002/news_16371.php): Toogood charged with false informing; bonds out of jail Friday night Posted: 09/27/2002 09:46 pm Last Updated: 09/30/2002 10:30 am The new charges against Toogood came today after prosecutors determined the address she gave police when she was originally arrested was fake. She gave them the address for Ziker Cleaners in Elkhart, Indiana. David Ziker, the owner of the business, said he could not believe Toogood used his business' address. For this offense, which is false informing, Toogood will be facing another charge in St. Joseph County.... John Toogood facing federal charges To add another log on the bonfire that this case is becoming, Toth stated the social security number on John Toogood's driver's license was actually issued to a person who died in 1962! The theft of social security numbers is a federal offense, so that information will be forwarded to federal officials. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 12 Nov 02 - 02:24 PM I'd have thought that giving an address in a shopping mall doesn't sound like pretending that it's a residential address. Our malls don't have anybody living there - well, not overnight anyway. But maybe people live in shopping malls in the States. (That's not sarcasm - maybe they do.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 12 Nov 02 - 02:25 PM I'd have thought that giving an address in a shopping mall doesn't sound like pretending that it's a residential address. Our malls don't have anybody living there - well, not overnight anyway. But maybe people live in shopping malls in the States. (That's not sarcasm - maybe they do.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: SharonA Date: 12 Nov 02 - 02:42 PM Kevin (McGrath): My understanding is that Toogood gave the street address only – 1808 East Bristol Street, Elkhart, IN – and not the name of the mall or of the "post office business", as Larry describes it, in the mall. To anyone reading the street address only, not knowing that it was a commercial location, it would "sound like" a residential address. Perhaps the term "strip mall" needs to be clarified: it's a row of adjoined stores in a single, long, one-story building with parking in front of the building. Usually the store fronts are not enclosed inside the building; each store open onto the parking area outside. It may help to look at a picture of the front of the Ziker Cleaners store itself, so please click here: http://www.zikercleaners.com/bristol.html |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: SharonA Date: 12 Nov 02 - 03:02 PM Sorry; each store opens onto the parking area outside! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 12 Nov 02 - 05:09 PM Looks like what we'd call a trading estate. You learn stuff here. I imagine if I was her I might maybe consider saying "That was where the van I was living in was parked that week..." |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: Marc Date: 13 Nov 02 - 01:31 PM " the first Romanichal deportations to the US began in the mid seventh century."... Which european nation new of the new world in 600AD? In all seriousness though, before I was released from jail (on a false charge and I'm not a traveler), I was required to give proof of a permanent residense. This is so the man can keep tabs on you, and make sure you don't commit your crime again. People who've 'done time' and no longer have a residence, are supposed to go to a shelter or relitives home. It really appears she tried to put one over on the man and got caught, which does have a way of snowballing. In my expierience once you get yourself in the system it's hard as hell to get out, regardless of you name or lifestyle choices. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: SharonA Date: 13 Nov 02 - 01:58 PM News updates from the South Bend, Indiana, Tribune: http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2002/11/11/local.20021111-sbt-MARS-C4-SOUTH_BEND.sto November 11, 2002 Area Briefs Staff Reports SOUTH BEND Toogoods injured in traffic accident The husband and children of Madelyne Toogood, including the daughter she was allegedly caught beating in a parking lot on videotape, suffered minor injuries in a truck accident Sunday. Johnny Toogood, his daughter, 4-year-old Martha, and his two sons were in a Chevrolet truck when they were struck by a car turning left in front of them on South Bend Avenue. Cpl. Anne Schellinger of the South Bend Police Department said the family was taken to a local hospital where they were met by Madelyne Toogood's mother, who has custody of Martha. They did not require medical attention, but they were "shaken up," Schellinger said. Schellinger said she will be talking with child protective services today to see if Johnny Toogood was permitted to be alone with Martha. Madelyne Toogood's visits with her daughter must be supervised. -------------------------------- http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2002/11/13/local.20021113-sbt-MICH-D1-Toogood_taken_.sto November 13, 2002 Toogood taken to Michigan to face felony charges By LINDA MULLEN, Tribune Staff Writer SOUTH BEND -- Madelyne Toogood has been extradited to Monroe County, Mich., to face felony charges of trying to get an identification card and driver's license with a false address and name.... Toogood had been in the St. Joseph County Jail since Friday, when she was picked up at her home in the Maple Lane Apartments on Bendix. South Bend police had gone to her home after Mishawaka police were tipped off with Toogood's address. St. Joseph County police took Toogood to Michigan on Tuesday.... While arresting her, South Bend police Cpl. Rick Ruszkowski ran a check on a 1993 Cadillac that Toogood claimed to be hers. It has an invalid paper license plate from Illinois on it. Johnny Toogood, Madelyne Toogood's husband, was at the South Bend police station Tuesday, trying to get police to release the car to him. He said the car was given to them from a car dealership in Illinois, but police refused to release it until he could prove ownership. Compounding their problems, while his wife was in jail, Johnny Toogood was involved in a minor car accident Sunday night with all of his children, including 4-year-old Martha. He and their three children were on their way home from church when a car struck their truck. All four suffered only minor injuries and did not require hospitalization. When police responded, they wondered about Johnny Toogood's custody status with Martha because Madelyne Toogood can have only supervised visits with her daughter. Regardless, the family was released from the hospital to Madelyne Toogood's mother, who has temporary custody of Martha. Johnny Toogood said Tuesday he has never had restricted visits with his daughter, 4-year-old Martha. He said his custody has never been an issue and that he has unrestricted parental rights. ------------------------------- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: InOBU Date: 13 Nov 02 - 04:28 PM As you see from the artical, the papers were saying that the kids had minor injuries, they did not, and Johnny had every right to have them in the car. He was cut off by another driver and forced off the road. It took me the better part of the day to finally get a chaplin in to tell Madlynne that the papers had it wrong and that the kids were OK. Her lawyer was not allowed access to her for the whole three day weekend. Nice of you to send you wishes for the childrens well being. Larry |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 13 Nov 02 - 06:53 PM Any information as to whether it was just some lousy driver cutting him up, or some kind of motorised vigilante? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: InOBU Date: 14 Nov 02 - 08:26 AM There is no evidence that it was anything other than the normal highway mania on America's highways... it was just one of those things. Cheers,Larry |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: GUEST Date: 16 Nov 02 - 11:41 PM Four people in the cab of truck.
Where were the seat-belts? Another case of child endangerment ... if you ask me.
Sincerely, |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: GUEST Date: 16 Nov 02 - 11:42 PM Good point Gargoyle Under 60 pounds? Was a child-safety-seat being used? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: greg stephens Date: 17 Nov 02 - 04:51 AM See? They not only do dodgy tarmaccing, sell inferior clothespegs,they also move their arms while step-dancing and drive their children around in trucks. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: InOBU Date: 17 Nov 02 - 05:06 PM As a matter of fact, the children were and always are in car seats, or Johney would be in jail today. Yes the kids sometimes ride in car seats in trucks, the state took their car in order to find out if there is a problem with it... take it first, find out latter. Larru |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: Marc Date: 17 Nov 02 - 05:49 PM Once again. towing a vehicle if there is "suspicion" of a problem, appears to be the norm in my experience. And "once again" I'm not Irish or a Traveler. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: InOBU Date: 17 Nov 02 - 06:57 PM Gee, Marc, what American state do yo live in? Suspicion is not enough... one must have suspicion plus probable cause. Remember we fought a small war to have certain rights to protect us from unreasonable search and seasure among a few other small rights? Cheers Larry |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: Marc Date: 17 Nov 02 - 08:32 PM RI. about a 8 mos ago my car was towed for failure to pass inspection, while all the time there was a valid inspection sticker on the car. It cost me a day in court, 'and of course I had to pay the towing company to get my car', they threw the case out once I got to court. This type of thing happens to me quite frequently. Like I said, once your in the system it's hard to get out. Unless of course you have $s, it's got little to do with were your from. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: InOBU Date: 17 Nov 02 - 09:26 PM Well, in New York, before they do the inspection they remove the old sticker, I agree that that sucks. But, to tow a car for suspicion that it is stolen, when it has not been reported stolen, well for theift, you need probable cause. For a breach of the code, like inspection, well anything can happen. Good luck Larry |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: SharonA Date: 27 Nov 02 - 02:25 PM From the South Bend, Indiana, Tribune: http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2002/11/25/local.20021125-sbt-MARS-A1-Toogood_claims.sto (in the interview portion of this article, the newspaper's comments are in italics) November 25, 2002 Toogood claims she, her group are victims Public information officer denies police are profiling Irish Travellers. By LINDA MULLEN Tribune Staff Writer ---------photo caption---------- Ever since her September arrest after apparently striking her daughter in a parking lot, an incident that was videotaped and broadcast nationwide, Madelyne Toogood thinks police follow her too closely and discriminate against her Irish Travellers culture. ------------------------------------ SOUTH BEND -- Madelyne Toogood, the 26-year-old mother who was videotaped in September apparently striking her child in the back seat of a sport utility vehicle, says police and the media are using racial profiling to harass her. At least one man agrees that the Irish Travellers' culture has been "criminalized" at Toogood's expense. "They are as law-abiding as any other culture in this nation," said Larry Otway, a New York lawyer who has offered free advice and counseling to Toogood. He says that because of the international publicity over the high-profile case, the entire culture is now "criminalized." Toogood contacted The Tribune to protest her treatment since her arrest. Heeding Otway's advice, she declined to answer questions about the videotaped incident, in which she faces a felony charge of battery to a child. Toogood and her husband, John, currently live in an apartment in South Bend. She has regular supervised visitation with her three children at the Fire Home, a community center where parents can see their children under supervision. Toogood also receives individual counseling, parenting classes and rage counseling. It may be at least six months before she can regain custody, said Michael Gotsch, a lawyer for the Office of Family and Children. The children now live with Toogood's mother, who has moved to South Bend to care for them. Question: How are your daughter and your two sons? Toogood: Martha is confused, very confused. The boys are as well ... confused, and they don't know why their little sister is not at home. It is hard to tell your son that on his birthday, his sister and his mother can't come to his birthday party. It is strange to have to ask permission to have dinner with your child on Thanksgiving. I have to take it day to day, because otherwise there would be no handling it at all. Q: You told me that people aren't allowed to call black people the "N-word," yet police frequently call you a "gypsy," usually with an obscene adjective. Are you offended to be called a gypsy? Toogood: "Gypsy" does not offend me, but the way it is used does. (A South Bend police officer) called me a "(expletive) gypsy" and verbally abused me. I must say almost all the police I have dealt with in South Bend treated me with respect, but (this officer) did not, and he used that word as an insult. Capt. John Williams, public information officer for the South Bend Police Department, said he appreciates Toogood's compliment. "We have had bad apples from within. Is it wrong that he made those statements? Yes. He should have kept those comments to himself. In the position of a police officer, you don't make those comments." Q: Since the incident at Kohl's, how many times have you allegedly been harassed by police? Toogood: In Monroe, they said I had a fake name and address, but that's not true. What is the truth is that I gave a post office box (at a mailing service business) as my address (but that business then closed). I was not charged with anything else. In Lansing, the press said I used false identification; the truth is I was stopped for driving before I had a license. But I did not use a false ID, nor was I charged with that. The only charge was driving without a license. A while back, I actually switched everything to my married name. Madelyne's father's last name is Carroll, and her mother's last name is Gorman. Before she was married, her name was Madelyne Carroll Gorman. When she married John Toogood, her name became Madelyne Gorman Toogood. "It's a matter of tradition, cultural tradition. Last names are not a constant worldwide," Otway said. But Williams points out that Toogood need not have become a household name at all. "Had she not done what she did," striking her child, "we never would have known who Madelyne Toogood was," Williams said. "Most of those warrants were filed before she was videotaped. There were several different warrants. Had she not been caught, she could have gone on for a long time." Q: A clerk at a Shipshewana store accused you and your sister of stealing fabric, but she identified you only after seeing the Kohl's videotape. Have you been told whether that kind of identification will hold up in court? Toogood: I wouldn't think so. We will see what happens in court. I always thought that for an identification to be made, they have to pick you out of a number of photos and close to the time it happened. She saw us on TV and heard all they had to say about us (in the Kohl's incident). It seems to me that is not an unbiased ID. Before the clerk saw us on TV, she said it was a Mexican girl who was in her store. I was always blond. I only had dark hair recently. Before that, I have never been took for a Mexican. Q: Explain to me please, in your own words, your explanation of why you used a mailing service business instead of an actual street address or U.S. postal address. Toogood: Because I didn't have a home address, and I already had a ticket for not having a license, that was the only way I could get a license without a house. After the fact, I wish I had gotten a U.S. post box, but this post office box was available to me, as a cousin already had the box, so it was easy for me to get my mail there. Otway explains that in the 17th century in Ireland, it was a capital offense to be a Roma. Irish Travellers are descendants of the Roma. There was no place else to go. The Travellers weren't allowed to stop anywhere for more than 24 hours. They developed a culture and an economy based on nomadic skills, such as contractors, knife sharpeners and skilled horse doctors. Traveling became part of their culture. Q: Tell me why you think people (police and press, etc.) are picking on you or practicing "racial profiling," which would actually be "cultural profiling," since being an Irish Traveller is a culture? Toogood: I don't know the reason why. Perhaps they have done it for so long it is habit for them. All other ethnic groups have folks to speak up for them, like the NAACP and such. There are Mexican organizations, Chinese; every group of people who used to be treated like this have folks to speak up for them. We Travellers never had someone to speak up on our behalf. We just never got anyone to stop it from happening to us. I wouldn't say the police are to blame in my case. Maybe it was originally because it was an election time: Making points looking like you are doing a lot for law and order. Then it just got blown out of hand. But the chief of police here and other police have been very fair with me. Here in South Bend, the chief of police and such have been very respectful and fair. Other than the one officer, the police have been pretty fair. So far the judges have been unbiased, pretty fair. (Prosecutor Chris) Toth had his reasons because of the elections, trying to get publicity. I have been more judged by the press. That may be why other states are now looking for things, like the driver's license (violation), and assuming the worst. After all, I am sure lots of folks have driver's licenses under their maiden names and use post office boxes. But the press says we are a bunch of criminals. That gets the police in other states looking for things that just aren't there, and judging everything differently for us than they would for other folks. Williams denies that police are profiling the Irish Travellers, or Toogood. "She's entitled to her opinion," Williams said. Toth has been out of the country and unavailable for comment, but he has denied that Toogood's case has been handled any differently than any other. Q: Would you like to make a final statement? Toogood: They have taken a lot from me this year. It really is not right. Eventually someone will have to stand up. We Travellers have to demand our rights. No other group in America would be told they don't have a right to their kids. This story is like a car wreck. Folks stop and want to see, not really wanting to see folks hurt, but they can't help being interested. Folks find it interesting to see how much trouble I am in, and that I am held out as a dangerous person. They don't know about us, about Irish Travellers, and they don't want to know about who we really are, because it is a better story to hear we are some dark and secret society. We aren't like that. We are just like everyone else; this country is made up of lots of kinds of folks. We Travellers are just people who were pushed along for so long that we make our living traveling. It is who we have become and who we are -- that isn't as interesting to folks as being told these stories. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: SharonA Date: 03 Dec 02 - 03:47 PM From the South Bend, Indiana, Tribune: http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2002/11/28/local.20021128-sbt-MICH-B2-Toogood_to_visit.sto November 28, 2002 Toogood to visit daughter for Thanksgiving holiday Tribune Staff Report SOUTH BEND -- Madelyne Toogood received permission Wednesday from St. Joseph Probate Judge Peter J. Nemeth to have a four-hour visit today with her 4-year-old daughter, Martha. Normally, Toogood's visits must be supervised, but no one was scheduled to work today [Thanksgiving day] who could supervise the visit. So a request was made to Nemeth to allow Toogood's mother to supervise. The grandmother currently has custody of the 4-year-old. Nemeth approved the plan so Toogood can see her daughter on the holiday. Toogood's husband, John, is not restricted in his visits with the girl. ...Toogood is next due in court Dec. 6, the cutoff date for a plea agreement on her criminal charges of child battery and false informing. ----------------------------------------------------- Doesn't sound like harassment or criminalization of a culture to me. Sounds like a gesture of trust on the part of the authorities, to have a member of the Traveller culture supervise the court-approved visit before Madelyne had completed her required parenting classes, anger management classes and counseling. Seems that the trust in Toogood's mother is well-placed. It also doesn't sound like criminalization of a culture to have allowed Madelyn'e sister to move out of state while awaiting her trial on charges relating to Madelyne's felony battery charge. Nor does it sound like criminalization of a culture to allow John Toogood, who has the same false address on his driver's license in addition to a false social security number, unrestricted visits with his daughter; he's even being allowed to drive the children using that falsified license without being arrested. Seems to me that the Indiana authorities are more concerned with making sure that the children maintain contact with at least one parental figure than with prosecuting every Traveller who is known to be breaking the law. As Madelyne herself says, "So far the judges have been unbiased, pretty fair." Her complaint seems to be with one out-of-line police officer and with those in the media who have sensationalized her story, but the generalization she makes from this – that she and her entire culture are being racially profiled and harassed – is just too far-fetched. Her assertion that police in other states are investigating her criminal activities because of what's been said in some editorials not credible. Her statement that "lots of folks have driver's licenses under their maiden names and use post office boxes" may or may not be true, but the question here is whether such practices are legal. As I said before, I use a US Post Office box myself but the law still requires that I submit a residential address to my state's Department of Motor Vehicles in addition to that post office box. As far as I've been able to tell from news reports, the address that Toogood submitted in Michigan was a street address only, with no mailbox number and no indication that it was not a residential address. Despite her assertions, "lots" of law-abiding citizens do not knowingly do that (nor do they knowingly drive cars with invalid license plates). Madelyne claims she didn't know that the mailbox business had closed, but she did know that it wasn't a residential address. Also, I find it difficult to believe that her cousin, who supposedly rented the box, would not have told her that the business had closed down before she gave that same address to her probation officer in September. Something else that I find disturbing is Madelyne's statement to the press – and Larry's statement to Mudcat – that she couldn't possibly have "been took for a Mexican" because her hair color was blonde. Certainly there are women of Hispanic ethnicity who dye their hair different colors (look at Jennifer Lopez, for example, and the changes she makes to her hair color!). Isn't it racial profiling to assume that all Latino women must have dark hair, and to assume that anyone describing someone as "looking Mexican" must be describing a person with dark hair??? For a couple of people who are complaining so vociferously about racial profiling, they seem to be awfully comfortable with using racial profiling as a defense when it suits them. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: GUEST,sorefingers Date: 04 Dec 02 - 12:55 PM It sucks most of all where a parent is not permitted to whack a misbehaving kid. Used to be the norm, in fact I seen a video made in Australia recently where the mom whacked her whinging kid so bad it knocked him over. Nobody arrested her. I think we should have more not less discipline. Just old enough to recall the instant justice both at home and school I recall there was far less crime, and we never ever read about kids taking guns to school. In fact this mother should be an example of what to do with a bold snivelling little runt who will not behave. I heartly applaud her motives while recommending she go a little easier next time. 'More power to yer elbow' - in true Gorman style of course. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: SharonA Date: 06 Dec 02 - 12:10 PM From the South Bend, IN, Tribune: http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2002/12/06/local.20021206-sbt-LOCL-D4-SOUTH_BEND.sto December 6, 2002 Toogood's hearing delayed until Feb. 14 Madelyne Toogood's hearing on her criminal charges set for today in St. Joseph Superior Court has been rescheduled to Feb. 14. Toogood's Indiana attorney, Patrick Young of Gary, had a conflict today, so he asked to have the plea cut-off date reset. Feb. 14 is when Judge William H. Albright will set a trial date if there is not agreement about a guilty plea in Toogood's case. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: Terry K Date: 15 Dec 02 - 03:26 AM GUEST sorefingers - what was it made your fingers sore - brutalizing defenceless children? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: SharonA Date: 24 Jan 03 - 10:32 AM Here's the latest update on the false-information case against Madelyne Toogood in Michigan, from the South Bend Tribune: http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2003/01/22/local.20030122-sbt-MICH-D3-Toogood_fined__1_200.sto January 22, 2003 Toogood fined $1,200 in Michigan license case MONROE, Mich. (AP) -- A woman caught on videotape in September in a Mishawaka [Indiana] parking lot apparently beating her 4-year-old daughter was fined $1,200 on Tuesday in a Michigan driving case. Madelyne Toogood, 26, originally was charged with using false identification and possession of multiple driver's licenses. If convicted, she faced up five years in prison. She spent six days in jail in November before being released on bond. On Dec. 5, Toogood pleaded guilty to driving without a license and failing to register a change of address. Monroe County District Judge Jack Vitale sentenced her to six days in jail, with credit for time served. He also fined her $1,000 on the address change charge and $200 on the unlicensed driving charge. Authorities said Toogood gave Michigan motor vehicle workers a false name and address when applying for a driver's license and identification card in May. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: hesperis Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:09 PM Well... interesting. I've had difficulty cashing my welfare cheque this month because it's made out to my legal name (my father's last name), and my bank account has been in my mother's last name since I opened it when I was 18... all my family and friend know me by my mother's last name. Those cheques went through every month for four years without a problem, then I moved to another town, and a different bank won't cash it, even though the address is the same and I have a very unique first name, AND I told welfare that I use a name other than my father's last name. Welfare won't make out the cheques to anything other than the legal name, though. It's just "lucky" for me that my landlord's moving back to Mexico, or I'd owe rent. I still have to find another room... and will probably have to pay first and last... when I'm really going to need that cheque cashed. The bank asked me if I wanted to change the name on the account to the legal one, and when I refused, they refused to cash the cheque without seeing "more ID". I'm still waiting for my birth certificate, it has to go to my previous town for someone to sign it and say that the information is accurate. I have social insurance number and health card, and a receipt for the application for a birth certificate. I don't want to use my father's last name for personal reasons, so the bank treated me like a criminal. IT'S MY GOD-DAMN ACCOUNT and I have no ID in my mother's last name EXCEPT for the bank card!!! The branch that cashed it last month said they would put a note on the account, but they didn't. So now I'm stuck until I can get to that branch and yell at them for not putting the note on it. This is CANADA??? And I'm not even homeless anymore. Sheesh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: MMario Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:17 PM hesp - endorse the check over to the name you use - signing your legal name - then endorse it to deposit/cash with the name you use. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: Kim C Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:21 PM How could she get fined for driving without a license when she had four of them? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: SharonA Date: 24 Jan 03 - 01:28 PM Kim: She was driving without a valid Michigan license (invalid because of the false address). You'll notice that she was also charged with possession of multiple driver's licenses. Lord only knows how many of them are also invalid. By the way, whatever happened to John Toogood's court case in Montana? He was supposed to have reported to Kalispell, MO for a January 6th court appearance on charges of felony deception, felony bail-jumping and misdemeanor elderly abuse, stemming from a 1999 roof-repair scam. I can't find any article that says whether he showed up or not, but he's certainly been a no-show in this case before, just as Madelyne has been a no-show in the cases against her in Texas. See this article about the John Toogood case: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20020928/localnews/176679.html |
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Subject: RE: BS: Traveller Discrimination Update... From: Kim C Date: 24 Jan 03 - 01:33 PM Okay, I get it. That's what I thought. It just sounded sorta funny. |